Ton fails to save Noble Park

AN inspirational century to playing-coach Dean Edmunds could not prevent Noble Park from suffering an agonising one-wicket loss at Werribee in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association on the weekend.
Batting first on Saturday, Noble Park slumped to 4/24 before Edmunds (119 not out) and Paul Hill (51) combined to resurrect the innings with a 122-run stand.
Later, a 59-run ninth-wicket partnership between Edmunds and Matt Crozier (26 not-out) to guide the Parkers to a competitive total of 8/238.
But Werribee, with its finals’ aspirations on the line, hit back on Sunday.
While it was an even batting display, it was Mark Hodgkiss (72 not-out) who steered the home side to a narrow victory.
Despite impressive spells from Matt Crozier (3/43), Karl Brown (3/45) and Sanj Weerasinghe (3/59), Noble Park was unable to claim the vital tenth scalp.
The second XI also travelled to Werribee without success, being dismissed for 161 on Saturday, only to see Werribee cruise to 231 in reply.
Nirosh Fonseka (46) was the pick of the Parkers batsmen, while Lyle D’Rozario took 3/61 with the ball.
The thirds lost to Kingston Saints in their home one-day fixture, making 8/128 in its innings before the visitors passed the total with the loss of three wickets.
After being 8/73, Kush Athukorala (29 not-out) and Andrew Berman (24 not-out) shared in a 54-run stand to get Noble to a respectable total.
Berman also picked up 2/20 with the ball.
Meanwhile, it was the Andrew Parker show in the fourths.
Parker made his first century and took four wickets as the side easily accounted for Kingston Saints.
Batting first, Noble Park amassed 7/209, with Parker (102), Justin Hart (59) and Praveen Jaiswar (28 not-out) starring with the bat.
In reply, Kingston Saints were dismissed for 93 as Parker picked up 4/19, Michael Fox 3/16 and Jake Richardson 1/24.
Tickets are still available for the Noble Park Cricket Club’s centenary dinner to be held at the Noble Park Football Social Club on Saturday, 9 February.
The cost is $30 per person, which includes a two-course meal.
For bookings or further information, contact Craig Ortland on 0416 101 396.